Hector to Remain with Reading

First Team News

//17 Jun 2011

Dundalk FC manager Ian Foster has confirmed that Michael Hector will remain with his parent club Reading FC and that his loan at Oriel Park will not be extended beyond its current deal which runs to July.

The 18-year-old central defender is back in England to receive treatment on a knee injury, which had sidelined him since his last appearance for Dundalk, in Sligo on 30 May.

And Foster received news on Friday morning that Hector is not likely to be back in action until late August, meaning that the 34-year-old will now set about bringing in a replacement.

“Brian McDermott rang me this morning and after liaising with his Director of Football and his physio, unfortunately they don’t think Michael is going to be fit until late August.

“Therefore, there is no benefit to Michael in then coming over for two months of football, which I totally agree with. It’s just unfortunate that we probably didn’t foresee Michael being out for such a long period.

“It’s disappointing for myself and it’s disappointing for Michael. Having spoken to him, I know how disappointed he is, and also Reading Football Club are disappointed, because they know how well Michael has been doing. They know it has helped his career as well.

“It’s one of those things that happens – it’s unfortunate.

“We would have loved to have kept Michael until the end of the season. He’s a promising young player, and unfortunately for us he’s going to stay at Reading.”

Foster now expects Hector to go on loan to another English club when he returns to full fitness.

“I think he probably will do,” Ian said. “I think once he’s fit they’ll look to get him out on loan in England.

“That’s the sensible option; he can go for one month, three months or a season-long loan in England, rather than come here for maybe eight games and then he can’t play through November and December. It’s obviously a no-brainer.

“I’m just hugely disappointing that we’re going to miss out on such a good player. It has been tough enough this season anyway.

“We’re all disappointed because Michael has been such a wonderful part of the squad, he’s a great kid and he did improve us, so it’s disappointing but we have to move on.

“We’ve managed to set up a friendship with Reading Football Club and hopefully in the future we can get another Michael Hector in through the gate.”

The Liverpool-born boss will now concentrate on finding a replacement for the young defender.

“We hope to try to replace Michael,” he said. “It won’t be easy doing that, but the funds are available from Michael’s wages. I’ll be given those back and we’ll go and try to bring in another player on that money.

“It’s not going to be easy. Michael wasn’t taking up an awful lot of money, but at the same time I will try to use that to bring in another player.”

Everybody at Dundalk FC would like to wish Michael the very best of luck in his future career.

Next Match

V

A Premier Division match between Dundalk FC vs Cork City

Premier Division

Dundalk FCvCork City

Friday 29 Mar, 7:45PM,

Oriel Park, Ireland

League Table

Team

P

PTS

GD

Shamrock R

7

16

9

Dundalk

6

12

7

Bohemians

6

11

2

Cork City

6

10

1

Derry City

6

8

1

St Patricks A

6

8

-1

Sligo Rovers

6

7

-3

Waterford FC

6

7

-3

UCD

6

4

-4

Finn Harps

7

2

-9

Last Updated: 15 March 10pm

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